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Boston Red Sox: Slimmed Down Pablo Sandoval Arrives in Fort Myers

By Logan Jakubajtys

Sep 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) throws out Toronto Blue Jays catcher Dioner Navarro (not pictured) in the sixth inning at Rogers Centre. Boston defeated Toronto 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) throws out Toronto Blue Jays catcher Dioner Navarro (not pictured) in the sixth inning at Rogers Centre. Boston defeated Toronto 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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A smaller version of Pablo Sandoval has shown up early to Red Sox Spring Training in Fort Myers. He’s looking to bounce back and make an impact on a strong AL East team.

Pablo Sandoval‘s time in Boston has been anything less than great. He’s struggled at the plate, defensively, and with his weight. Boston Red Sox fans have been all over him, but the Panda can still turn things around.

Sandoval arrived to camp eight days early, with a new slim physique.

Panda will likely be the Red Sox starting Third Baseman to open the 2017 season. It’s estimated that he’s lost almost 30 pounds this offseason. Sandoval missed nearly all of the 2016 season with a shoulder injury, and 2015 was one of his career worst. In his first season in Boston, Sandoval hit just .245 with 10 home runs and 47 RBI. All were career lows in seasons in which he played over 50 games. He played in 126 that year.

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On Thursday, Sandoval took swings from both sides of the cage during an informal batting practice session thrown by assistant hitting coach Victor Rodriguez. This year, Panda won’t have as much competition for his starting job, as Travis Shaw is now a member of the Brewers. Sandoval will be competing with Brock Holt, Josh Rutledge and Marco Hernandez for 3B duties.

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The Red Sox will look for Sandoval to return to the production levels of his prime San Francisco years. He has the power to be a 15-20 home run hitter. He’s surely capable of driving in 70+ RBI, and he’s posted a career average of .287. All of Sandoval’s numbers dropped his first year in Boston, and we only got to see him fail in seven plate attempt last season. This year could be make or break for both Sandoval and the Red Sox.

If Panda fails, then Red Sox management has truly failed. The trade market for Sandoval would be almost nonexistent and the team would be stuck with his hefty salary until 2020.

Next: 2017 Red Sox Lineup

Simply put, the Boston Red Sox hope that the slimmed down version of Pablo Sandoval can return to his hey day, backing an already solid offensive and defensive team poised for a title run.

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